For the fifth time since American forces began operating in Afghanistan in 2001, the 3rd Infantry Division’s 3rd Sustainment Brigade cased its colors in preparation for battle on Monday.

In the coming weeks about 250 soldiers from the brigade’s headquarters elements, including 3SB commander Ron Novack and Command Sgt. Maj. Forbes Daniels, will join much of the rest of the 3rd ID in Afghanistan.

During a ceremony at Fort Stewart’s Cottrell Field, Novack said his team was fully prepared for its nine-month mission to provide support — which includes water, fuel, food, ammunition and transportation to International Security Assistance Force troops serving in the country’s south, southwest and western areas of operation.

“We’re trained and ready,” Novack said. “This formation knows how to deploy, (and) knows how to provide sustainment to soldiers that are deployed.

“When we got the word that we were going to deploy to Afghanistan it was business as usual. We got after it, we trained very hard, and now it’s time to do our jobs.”

Among the troops it will serve downrange are the 3rd Infantry Division’s Headquarters and elements of its 1st and 2nd heavy brigade combat teams.

After four tours in Iraq in the past decade, it will be the first rotation in support of Operation Enduring Freedom for the 3rd Sustainment Brigade — though much of the unit has served in Afghanistan as a part of smaller, specialized teams.

Novack said more than a quarter of the soldiers deploying with him have already served in Afghanistan and about two-thirds have combat experience, assets, he said, that will help the unit perform its crucial role.

“If we fail, the warfighter’s going to fail,” he said. “Our motto here is that nothing will fail because of logistics. And we strive that the warfighter will never have to turn around and figure out where everything is, because we’re going to have everything there for them at the right place and the right time.”

In addition to providing logistics, the unit will oversee a massive draw-down of equipment throughout southern Afghanistan as the NATO mission there nears the end of its combat operations in 2014.

“That’s a daunting task when you think about retrograding equipment that must come out of there,” said Col. John Hort, the 3rd ID’s deputy commander-rear. “But through all their preparation, I have the utmost confidence in Col. Ron Novack and Command Sgt. Maj. Forbes Daniels.

“If anyone can provide excellent support to deployed soldiers and also begin a major withdrawal operation all over that country it is Col. Novack and his great Provider Team.”